BS English - Applied Linguistics (Lateral) is a two-year degree program that has been designed with a special focus on advancing academic and professional development of students who want to gain knowledge of applied linguistics and apply it to practical problems related to language in use and language teaching. With an emphasis on developing skills and knowledge that can be utilized in diverse professional environments, this intensive program draws on knowledge about language, how it works and how it affects real-life issues. It not only focuses on the current practices and theories regarding English language but also incorporates secondary fields from other disciplines such as Social Sciences and Applied Sciences thus making the students more confident and subtle in interlinking their knowledge of Applied Linguistics with other disciplines and enhancing their professional career.

The program introduces students to key issues within the field of Applied Linguistics with a focus on topics relating to second language pedagogy. It encourages students to develop a broad theoretical base reflecting current cutting edge research within Applied Linguistics and related disciplines. Students will explore how language is used in a variety of social settings, compare language variability with social diversity and examine how language proficiency can impact on people’s lives. It offers specializations in a variety of fields ranging from language acquisitions, development, linguistics theory, language structure, bilingualism, language teaching and literacy in classrooms. Students of this program can also apply their knowledge in applied projects in the communities they live or study in.

The program aims to:

1. Enable students to describe language by using appropriate linguistic concepts and terminology.

2. Articulate reflective and critical thinking skills among language learners to comprehend possible links between language pedagogy and policies.

3. Develop insights among students about social and psychological principles to understand language acquisition and development.

4. Enable the learners comprehend cultural and sociopolitical dimensions of language to improve lifelong learning as well as social and communicative skills.

5. Enhance students’ awareness of the latest and effective pedagogical tools to improve their professional career.

6. Provide an understanding of a variety of language teaching methods to enable the students to develop and reflect upon their understanding of language learning and teaching by effectively incorporating technological advancements in their class room practices.

7. Equip them with a better understanding of the standard procedures of curricula and syllabi design and development.

8. Develop essential research and analytical skills in the learners who intend to opt English language teaching as their career.

9. Provide in-service and aspiring language teachers an opportunity to develop a theoretical and practical understanding of English Language Teaching in order to explore, understand, and research the problems related to ELT in Pakistan.

The eligibility criteria for admission to BS English - Applied Linguistics (Lateral) entry is as follows:

Applicants with a 2-year Associate Degree in the same discipline (from an HEC-recognized institution) will be able to join the 5th semester of a BS program. Those with an Associate Degree in a different discipline or a conventional BA/BSc degree (annual system) must complete a bridging semester/deficiency semester to address academic deficiencies.

The minimum admission eligibility is a 2.00/4.00 CGPA for Associate Degree holders (semester system) or 45% marks for BA/BSc or equivalent (annual system), along with meeting the University’s general admission criteria based on 12 years of education. The University may set higher standards for specific programs.

The students’ study progress evaluation mechanism is based on continuous assessment throughout the semester by giving assignments, quizzes, Graded Discussion Board (GDB), mid-term and final-term exams. The mid and final term exams are conducted at VU’s designated exam centers and usually count for 80-85% of the total marks of a course. In the last semester of BS Program, a research project is mandatory to be submitted by the students.

To be eligible for the award of degree in BS English - Applied Linguistics (Lateral), the students are required to qualify the prescribed courses amounting to at least 132 credit hours with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.00 out of 4.00.

Students are required to complete a Research Project of 3-credit hours in the final semester of BS English - Applied Linguistics (Lateral). They have to produce a properly supervised, investigated and formatted research project (as per recommendations of HEC with regard to layout, referencing and indexing) on an approved topic. Students have to submit a detailed write-up of the project and may be required to give a presentation.